The Baal Dhamaal Experience Made Me A Better Parent

The Sunday of January 10, 2016 was a big day for me and the school students of the
various Government Schools of Pune who participated in the unique event called “Baal
Dhamaal” organized by the Indian Sponsorship Committee (ISC). The committee has
been arranging this event for several years for now. My participation as
volunteer in this event has taught me newer lessons of Humanity and a better
sense of Parenting our kids. With nearly 650 kids participating from the age
groups ranging from six to fourteen years, the event seemed like a herculean task
without the support of the Volunteers who volunteered from several Corporates
in Pune viz. Zensar Technologies, AXA, Tech Mahindra and Symbiosis . This was
my first activity being a Zensar volunteer and as an active member of our
Corporate Social Responsibility team. Undoubtedly, after this day long event I
walked away as a different, changed and a very improved person. What a way to
start the year!

Zensar has been consistently providing financial and
volunteer support to ISC for several years in order to arrange and execute this
event. This year we had been looking after the kids of 9 and 11 years of age
group. Specifically, I was looking after the 11 years group right since their
buses off-boarded them at the venue, the Loyola School Grounds, Pashan. Almost
all of these kids hailed from the economical weaker sections of the Society.
Their parents toiled hard under the sun as laborers at the brick building
workshops. The fact these poor parents managed to send their children to School
was a great thing in itself. I was informed that during the past few years, these
School kids participated in the Baal Dhamaal event, played games without footwear
or shoes. This year, the main sponsor of the event had sponsored Sport Shoes
for all the kids which was one of the best gifts a Corporate can donate in the
context.

Inaugural Briefing at the Baal Dhamaal 2016

Getting these kids off from their buses, after a long tiring
journey from their respective schools was a very soothing experience. I noticed
that most of the kids were not trained enough to tie a proper knot to their
Shoe laces. A majority of these kids seemed like they had been wearing Sport
Shoes for the very first time in their life. It was a touchy experience. After
we welcomed the kids and their Class teachers in the every bus that reported to
the ground, we provided them with brief instructions to ensure that they do not
step on each others’ shoes. Verifying and tying knots on the shoes of these
little ones was another great experience. This kind of volunteering really made
us build a chemistry amongst these kids. Such an exhilarating welcome really
made the kids harmonious with us - the Zensar Volunteers.

Zensar Volunteers for Baal Dhamaal 2016

After the breakfast and inaugural speech, the kids were
really excited to exibit their spirit of Sportsmanship with the games that we
had arranged for them. The day continued on the sunny playground and we managed
to conclude the toughtest task for the day – finalizing the list of winners.
With all the energy these kids brought up on the table, it was a very difficult
task to choose only a few winners. But, this is what the spirit of
Sportsmanship is all about, isn’t it? The kids had a great learning and their
faces were filled with delight which spoke it all.

Drenched in the same color

After the lunch and prize distribution ceremony, it was hard
to bid a good bye to these awesome little kids. A few of these kids managed to
build up a very special bonding with me and several other volunteers. I am sure
they would remember me for a few days as an “Uncle” who served me food, a “Sir”
who took us to the toilet and brought us back to the group or as that “someone”
who tied up their shoe lace. Whether or not these kids would remember me, I am
sure to remember this act of humanity for the rest of my life.